Alice Caddel the Healslut Cleric

Alice Caddel wiped the sweat from her brow, frustration flickering in her sharp green eyes. She stood in the center of the training mat, fists clenched, breathing hard. Her trainer circled her, nodding approvingly but offering no praise. "Again," her trainer said, giving her a nod.

She lunged first, throwing a sharp jab toward his ribs. He sidestepped effortlessly. She pivoted, bringing her leg up in a swift roundhouse kick, but he caught her ankle and twisted, forcing her off balance. Alice barely managed to land without hitting the mat. Gritting her teeth, she sprang back up and rushed him again.

She tried everything—quick strikes, feints, sweeps—but her trainer countered every move with frustrating ease. The harder she fought, the more he seemed to anticipate her attacks. Her breath came in short, sharp gasps, muscles burning as she pushed herself harder. Then, in a blink, he slipped past her guard and swept her legs out from under her.

Alice hit the mat hard, the impact rattling through her spine. She lay there for a second, staring at the ceiling, her breath heavy.

Her trainer stood over her, offering a hand. "Better," he said. "But not enough."

She took his hand, letting him pull her to her feet. Her jaw tightened. She wasn’t angry at him. She was angry at herself.

Alice was a Caddel she was supposed to be great. The Caddels had always had greatness and power in their family. Alice's aunt and mother were a great Mages, and Alice's grandfather was commander of the cities forces. When Alice had come of age she had been tested for what her aptitude was and the witches had determined she had holy energy and was a cleric.

But being a cleric is more complicated. Depending on what god or goddess that cleric was blessed by they can either powerful with magic, or as hand to hand combat expert. Alice had spent months trying to draw on her holy energy to cast spells, but she never could. No matter how much she cleared her mind and focused she could never cast more than the most basic spells. So it was determined she must be a martial cleric, and was sent to train with swords.

While she wasn't a terrible sword fighter she wasn't a natural either. She would be a fine foot soldier, but nothing worthy of a Caddel. She grunted in frustration once again.